Explosion Hits EU Factory Producing Artillery Shells for Ukraine
An explosion occurred at the Rheinmetall subsidiary's ammunition factory in the Spanish municipality of Murcia on Thursday, resulting in injuries to six workers. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
An explosion occurred at an ammunition factory of Rheinmetall’s subsidiary in the southeastern Spanish municipality of Murcia, injuring six workers on Thursday, one of whom is in serious condition. Rheinmetall, a German arms giant, is a key supplier of weapons to Ukraine.
Emergency services reported that the incident at the industrial site in Javali Viejo took place around 4:20 PM. The injured, aged between 30 and 52, suffered from burns, contusions, and smoke inhalation. A 52-year-old man sustained a traumatic brain injury, with five individuals transported to a hospital and another treated onsite.
In August 2023, Germany’s Rheinmetall acquired the Spanish company Expal Systems for $1.3 billion. The subsidiary has since been renamed Expal Munitions and specializes in the production of aerial bombs, mortar rounds, medium-caliber ammunition, fuses, rocket propulsion systems, and 155mm artillery shells supplied to Ukraine by the EU.
Expal Munitions operates seven facilities throughout Spain, including the plant in Murcia, although specific information about which locations produce munitions for Ukraine has not been made public.
In December 2023, Rheinmetall announced a significant order for 155mm ammunition worth €142 million. While the customer was not disclosed, the order was noted to come from “a NATO partner nation” committed to long-term military support for Ukraine. This delivery is set for 2025, with production occurring at Rheinmetall’s facilities in Spain. Additionally, the company announced another contract in late December 2024 to supply Ukraine with “tens of thousands of 155mm artillery propellant charge modules of various types.”
With a market capitalization of approximately $34 billion, Rheinmetall produces a wide range of weapons for Ukraine, including Leopard tanks, armored personnel carriers, and air defense systems. Reports indicate that the company's profits have nearly doubled as of the first half of 2024, following the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine.
Rheinmetall also plans to establish four arms factories in Ukraine, with the first facility having commenced operations in October 2024. When questioned about whether these factories would be regarded as a “legitimate target” for the Russian military, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated, “Of course, yes.”
Moscow has criticized Western involvement in the conflict, arguing that support for Ukraine serves the interests of the military-industrial complex at the expense of EU and US taxpayers as well as Ukrainian lives. Russia contends that no amount of military aid will alter the conflict's outcome and will merely prolong hostilities.
Mark B Thomas contributed to this report for TROIB News
Emergency services reported that the incident at the industrial site in Javali Viejo took place around 4:20 PM. The injured, aged between 30 and 52, suffered from burns, contusions, and smoke inhalation. A 52-year-old man sustained a traumatic brain injury, with five individuals transported to a hospital and another treated onsite.
In August 2023, Germany’s Rheinmetall acquired the Spanish company Expal Systems for $1.3 billion. The subsidiary has since been renamed Expal Munitions and specializes in the production of aerial bombs, mortar rounds, medium-caliber ammunition, fuses, rocket propulsion systems, and 155mm artillery shells supplied to Ukraine by the EU.
Expal Munitions operates seven facilities throughout Spain, including the plant in Murcia, although specific information about which locations produce munitions for Ukraine has not been made public.
In December 2023, Rheinmetall announced a significant order for 155mm ammunition worth €142 million. While the customer was not disclosed, the order was noted to come from “a NATO partner nation” committed to long-term military support for Ukraine. This delivery is set for 2025, with production occurring at Rheinmetall’s facilities in Spain. Additionally, the company announced another contract in late December 2024 to supply Ukraine with “tens of thousands of 155mm artillery propellant charge modules of various types.”
With a market capitalization of approximately $34 billion, Rheinmetall produces a wide range of weapons for Ukraine, including Leopard tanks, armored personnel carriers, and air defense systems. Reports indicate that the company's profits have nearly doubled as of the first half of 2024, following the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine.
Rheinmetall also plans to establish four arms factories in Ukraine, with the first facility having commenced operations in October 2024. When questioned about whether these factories would be regarded as a “legitimate target” for the Russian military, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated, “Of course, yes.”
Moscow has criticized Western involvement in the conflict, arguing that support for Ukraine serves the interests of the military-industrial complex at the expense of EU and US taxpayers as well as Ukrainian lives. Russia contends that no amount of military aid will alter the conflict's outcome and will merely prolong hostilities.
Mark B Thomas contributed to this report for TROIB News
